William F. Young Jr.

William F. "Digger" Young Jr., 81, of Butler, passed away Tuesday, March 25, 2014. He was born Feb. 21, 1933, in Grove City, Pa., a son of the late William F. Young Sr. and Joy Cora (Wylie) Young. Digger was a lifelong funeral director, licensed in 1955. He graduated from West Sunbury High School in 1951 and from Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1953. He had worked at Castle Rubber during his funeral directing training for more than two years and also at Armco for more than seven years. He purchased the Young Funeral Home in West Sunbury in 1963, becoming a partner with his father. In 1970, he purchased the Atwell Funeral Home in Butler, which became Young Funeral Home Ltd., where he continued to work up until his death. He was the Butler County Coroner from 1970 until his retirement in 1999. Digger also had served as president for both the Butler County Law Enforcement Association and also the Pennsylvania State Coroners Association. In his younger years, he played and coached baseball all around Butler County. Digger was a member of West Sunbury United Presbyterian Church, the AM Rotary, the Moose, the Elks, the ROJ Court 2 and Kachina Klub. He held very close his involvement with his Masonic and Shrine organizations, Victory Lodge No. 694, New Castle Scottish Rite and Syria Temple, having served as a Harige Clown and Potentate in 2001. He received his 33rd Degree in 2000. He also belonged to Butler Caravan No. 14, Acacia Club and Butler Shrine Luncheon Club. Digger's pride and joy were his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and he cherished every chance he got to spend time with them. He loved traveling, going to the casino with his family, playing cards with his friends, going to Steelers and Pirates games and much more. He was a very giving man who lived a very full life and will be greatly missed by all. Surviving are his son, William F. (Cynthia) Young III, of West Sunbury; his daughters, Monica (Vic) Campagna, of Slippery Rock, and Robin (Arnold) Christy, of West Sunbury; his companion, Kay McCandless, of Valencia; his granddaughters, Jodi Campagna (Liam) Brennan, of Mars, Cori Christy (Owen) Brown, of Mars, Courtney Burgoon, of York, and Carol (Jim) Callender, of Butler; his grandsons, Tad (Laura) Campagna, of Slippery Rock, and Cole Wm. Christy, of West Sunbury; 10 great-grandchildren, Lainey, Eden, Brady, Freddy, Elle, Corey, Kailey, Jameson, Nolan and Adrian; his ex-wife, Rachel J. (Gardner) Young, of Butler; his brother, Edwin L. (Kim) Young, of West Sunbury; and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, who died in 1976; his mother, who died in 1997; and his brother, Breaden Young. Friends will be received from 1 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 28, 2014 with Masonic services at 6:30 p.m. and also from 1 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 29, 2014, at the YOUNG FUNERAL HOME LTD., 127 W. Jefferson St., Butler. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 30, 2014, in West Sunbury United Presbyterian Church. Private burial will be in West Sunbury Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Digger would want contributions made in his memory to the Syria Shrine Transportation Fund, 1877 Shriner's Way, Cheswick, PA 15024; the Moniteau Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 226, West Sunbury, PA 16061; or to the donor's favorite charity. For more information, visit http://www.youngfuneralhomes.com.